EA has released Update v1.1.0 for EA SPORTS FC 26, bringing a broad range of refinements to gameplay, AI responsiveness, and game mode stability across all platforms. This update heavily emphasizes defensive balance, passing accuracy, and improved player control, while also addressing major quality-of-life improvements in Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and Clubs. Following community feedback, the patch fine-tunes several mechanical elements, ensuring more consistent animations, refined AI decision-making, and better user responsiveness during critical moments.
The patch also introduces numerous user interface enhancements, fixes to stability and visual presentation, and platform-specific optimizations across PC, console, and Switch versions. Ultimate Team receives new tracking options for objectives and challenges, while Career Mode benefits from improved job logic and reduced managerial spam. Meanwhile, Clubs mode sees refinements to role selection, archetype display, and match presentation. Overall, version 1.1.0 aims to polish the EA SPORTS FC 26 experience while maintaining a fair and fluid football simulation.
Full Patch Notes
EA SPORTS FC 26 | Update v1.1.0
Gameplay
Defending
- Increased aggressiveness of man marking for AI players around kick-off in Competitive Gameplay.
- Improved Sprint Jockey speed and responsiveness for user-controlled defenders.
- Refined tackle and interception logic to prevent attackers from regaining the ball unfairly.
- Enhanced Standing Tackle animations for smoother recovery.
- Increased number of defenders staying back during corners.
- Fixed double tackle and premature animation-ending issues.
Passing
- Adjusted Through Passes to better respect player aim input and reduce excessive assistance.
- Fixed cases where passes targeted unintended receivers or lacked lead distance.
- Improved first-time passing and ground pass responsiveness.
- Reduced headed cross accuracy and overpowered lobbed pass mechanics.
- Enhanced consistency for pass animations and CPU goal kick logic.
Movement and Positioning
- Moderately reduced Controlled Sprint Dribble speed for balance.
- Directed runs now possible during Controlled Sprint Dribble.
- Improved AI attack runs to prevent offside errors and path collisions.
- Fixed incorrect player slowdown when dodging slide tackles.
- Corrected corner player positions and AI stumbling issues.
Goalkeeping
- Improved goalkeeper behavior on corners and far-post crosses.
- Enhanced reaction time for near-post shots.
- Fixed issues with goalkeepers deflecting shots into danger zones or their own net.
- Manual goalkeepers now react more reliably, and automatic rushes are smarter.
- Adjusted punch trajectory and power for consistency.
Dribbling and Skill Moves
- Increased consistency of ball trapping and air control.
- Removed fancy traps for non-Trickster players.
- Fixed Skill Move input errors and incorrect fake shot outcomes.
- Improved first-time fake shot directionality and flick mechanics.
Other Gameplay Fixes
- Increased CPU attacking frequency in Be A Goalkeeper mode.
- Improved AI buildup play and team coordination.
- Increased foul frequency for realistic match flow.
- Refined referee decision-making on fouls and penalties.
- Corrected player switching errors, physical interactions, and header logic.
- Improved shot responsiveness and interception recoveries.
Ultimate Team
New Features
- Added SBC sorting by Newest and Expiry Date.
- Added Evolution previewing for requirements and eligibility.
- Introduced favouriting and tracking Objectives, displayed in the Pause Menu and UT Hub.
- Gameplay notifications for completed Objectives now customizable in Settings.
Fixes
- Fixed substituted players not loading correctly.
- Corrected visual bugs in End of Match screens and Rivals point tracking.
- Fixed Formation display errors, UI overlaps, and player portrait issues.
- Improved Transfer Market interactions, preventing input and pricing bugs.
- Resolved issues with Evolutions UI, Rivals Rewards, and Objective previews.
- Fixed controller audio, visual misalignments, and reward claiming inconsistencies.
Career Mode
Changes
- Reduced frequency of Manager Market emails.
Fixes
- Improved AI job security and career progression logic.
- Fixed Caretaker Manager ratings and mid-season transitions.
- Corrected end-of-season review emails showing inaccurate results.
- Fixed Homesick Player Event repetition and social media post errors.
- Addressed Manager customization bugs and avatar saving issues.
- Corrected lighting problems, team transfers, and simulation data accuracy.
Clubs
Changes
- In Drop-In matches that reach penalties, user-controlled players now take penalties before AI teammates.
Fixes
- Corrected Archetype XP display, Team Management access, and Dynamic tifo visibility.
- Fixed role selection issues and UI freezes.
- Improved goal celebration cameras and hairstyle scrolling functionality.
- Fixed Club Mode UI, Objective displays, and controller responsiveness on Nintendo Switch platforms.
General, Audio, and Visual
Changes
- Updated 2D portraits, kits, stadiums, and commentary assets.
- Enhanced lighting, shaders, and cinematic presentation.
- Improved PC aspect ratio support and shader caching for performance stability.
Fixes
- Fixed trophy placements, Co-Op menu behavior, and stadium lighting issues.
- Corrected camera angles, tifo visuals, and default ball selections under weather conditions.
- Improved Skill Games reliability, Trainer visibility, and Online Seasons stability.
- Resolved menu hitches, UI placeholders, and vibration calibration issues.
EA SPORTS FC 26 is the latest entry in EA’s football simulation series, delivering the most comprehensive and authentic experience yet with over 20,000 licensed players and dual gameplay presets for both competitive and authentic football. Featuring Manager Live Challenges, Archetypes, and refined physics powered by Frostbite, the game provides unparalleled realism across modes. Released worldwide on September 26, 2025, it is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Windows), Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Amazon Luna.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!